Introducing Ray and Sylvia Skinner, Australia and Solomon Islands

Ray and Sylvia, originally from Clifton Church (Worthing, UK), have served the Lord in the Solomon Islands since 1986, working with a local church to reach out to the lost, build and run an independent school, and build up churches in isolated villages.

In October 2009 the pastor of the church they attended told Ray and Sylvia that they must cease from participation in the church and its ministries, whilst emphasizing they had done nothing wrong. He sees this as having come as a word from God.

Ray and Sylvia’s challenge is to serve God no matter what – so they intend to by His Spirit (like John Wesley said) “do all the good they can, by all the means they can, in all the ways they can, in all the places they can, at all the times they can, to all the people they can, as long as ever they can.” For they believe it is God who works in us … Phil 2:13.

Since their abrupt and quiet exit from their church many other village communities have formally invited them to live and work with them in reaching out. One example of outreach: ex-Militants from the Weather Coast (an Animistic stronghold) are willing to come andlisten to God’s word with Ray, as they learn to sew tailored shorts with Sylvia.

Huntingdale Church (Western Australia) Youth Teams join Ray and Sylvia each year in an outreach, to share their faith. The next one is planned for early 2011. With each visit there is a sense of freedom and freshness in both communities as believers are encouraged.